CA2253038A1 - Coupling for optical waveguide cables - Google Patents
Coupling for optical waveguide cables Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2253038A1 CA2253038A1 CA002253038A CA2253038A CA2253038A1 CA 2253038 A1 CA2253038 A1 CA 2253038A1 CA 002253038 A CA002253038 A CA 002253038A CA 2253038 A CA2253038 A CA 2253038A CA 2253038 A1 CA2253038 A1 CA 2253038A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- coupling
- coupling sleeve
- optical waveguides
- bore
- sleeve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/381—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
- G02B6/3825—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
- G02B6/24—Coupling light guides
- G02B6/36—Mechanical coupling means
- G02B6/38—Mechanical coupling means having fibre to fibre mating means
- G02B6/3807—Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
- G02B6/3887—Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features
- G02B6/3888—Protection from over-extension or over-compression
Abstract
For a coupling for optical waveguide cables, in particular for plastic optical waveguides, it is proposed that the coupling be provided with a coupling sleeve in which the ends of the optical waveguides can be inserted, the said coupling sleeve being provided with a through-bore matched to the optical waveguides, that the ends of the coupling sleeve be provided with a thread and, at the end, with a cone, that axial slots be provided in the ends provided with the threads, and that a cap nut with an internal cone be screwed onto the ends, during the screwing-on of which cap nut the slotted ends are compressed radially.
Description
, . CA 022~3038 1998-11-0~
HARTING KGaA
Marienwerderstr. 3 1998-10-16 D-32339 Espelkamp 9730 CA P L
Couplin~ for optical wave~uide cables The invention relates to a coupling for optical waveguide cables, in particular o for plastic optical waveguides.
Couplings of this kind serve for mechanically and optically connecting the ends of optical waveguides. Under these circumstances, a coupling of this kind must be mechanically stable and have adequate optical coupling of the optical waveguides.
From the company publication "Suhner Fiberoptik, LWL-Komponenten, Ge-samtkatalog" ["Suhner fbre optics, optical waveguide components, complete catalogue"J, 05.96 reprint, by the company Huber + Suhner AG, Herisau, Switzerland, it is known practice to provide optical waveguides with plugs for the purpose of coupling their ends and to plug the said plugs, in an oppo-sitely directed manner, into a coupling sleeve which is constructed to receive, the plug pins.
HARTING KGaA
Marienwerderstr. 3 1998-10-16 D-32339 Espelkamp 9730 CA P L
Couplin~ for optical wave~uide cables The invention relates to a coupling for optical waveguide cables, in particular o for plastic optical waveguides.
Couplings of this kind serve for mechanically and optically connecting the ends of optical waveguides. Under these circumstances, a coupling of this kind must be mechanically stable and have adequate optical coupling of the optical waveguides.
From the company publication "Suhner Fiberoptik, LWL-Komponenten, Ge-samtkatalog" ["Suhner fbre optics, optical waveguide components, complete catalogue"J, 05.96 reprint, by the company Huber + Suhner AG, Herisau, Switzerland, it is known practice to provide optical waveguides with plugs for the purpose of coupling their ends and to plug the said plugs, in an oppo-sitely directed manner, into a coupling sleeve which is constructed to receive, the plug pins.
2~ However, in this coupling, which is by and large satisfactory, the optical waveguides have to be provided with suitable plugs. When doing so, vari-ous tools are needed for fitting the plugs, in order to fasten the optical waveguide fibers in the plug by crimping or gluing.
The underlying object of the invention is to construct a coupling for optical waveguides of the initially mentioned type to the effect that the connection of 9730CA-0.DOC
CA 022~3038 1998-ll-0~
the optical waveguides can be produced without special tools and that the coupling as a whole can be manufactured at a reasonable price.
This object is achieved through the fact that the coupling has a coupling sleeve in which the ends of the optical waveguides can be inserted, the said coupling sleeve being provided with a through-bore matched to the optical waveguides, that the ends of the coupling sleeve are provided with a thread and have a cone at the end, that the ends provided with the threads are provided with axial slots, and that a cap nut with an internal cone can be screwed onto the ends, during the screwing-on of which cap nut the slotted ends are compressed radially.
Advantageous refinements of the invention are indicated in claims 2 to 5.
The advantages achieved by means of the invention consist, in particular, in the fact that no special tools are needed for producing the connection of two optical waveguides, and the outlay is therefore extremely small. In addition, the costs of an optical waveguide connection are diminished, compared with known connections, because of the reduction in the components required.
Under these circumstances, the mounting volume is reduced at the same time and assembly is possible even in the case of relatively short cable lengths.
An exemplified embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawings and will be explained in greater detail below.
Figure 1 shows a view of a coupling with optical waveguides introduced, figure 2 shows a perspective view of the coupling according to figure 1, figure 3 shows a view of a modified coupling, 9730CA-0.DOC
, . . ~ . .
CA 022~3038 1998-11-0~
figure 4 shows a view of another modified coupling, and figure 5 shows an exploded view of the coupling sleeve of the coupling according to figure 4.
The coupling represented in figures 1 and 2 essentially consists of a cou-pling sleeve 1 which is provided with a through-bore 2, the diameter of the said bore being matched to the external diameter of the optical waveguides 3 to be introduced. The ends 4 of the coupling sleeve are provided, in each case, with a thread 5 onto which a cap nut 6 can be screwed. In order to facilitate handling of the parts, the central region of the coupling sleeve is of thickened construction and is provided with knurling, and the cap nuts are also equipped with external knurling. The ends 4 of the coupling sleeve are also provided with axial slots 7 which extend approximately as far as the end of the thread region. As a result of this, the ends 4 can be elastically com-pressed in the radial direction.
The ends are also provided with an external cone 8, on which an internal cone 9 in the cap nuts acts when the latter are screwed on, and compresses the ends radially in the process.
As is represented in figure 1, the ends of two optical waveguides 3 are in- , serted in the through-bore 2 of the coupling sleeve in an oppositely directed manner. In the process, the optical waveguides are, in each case, inserted approximately as far as the center of the coupling sleeve and lie closely against one another, so that transmission of optical signals from one optical waveguide to the other is guaranteed. In order to fix the optical waveguides in the coupling sleeve, the cap nuts are screwed on tightly, the ends 4 being compressed and forced against the external sheathing of the optical waveguides. In order to improve the clamping of the optical waveguides, provision may optionally be made for the through-bore to have a roughened 9730CA-0.DOC
CA 022~3038 1998-11-0~
surface in the region of the slotted ends 4, it being possible to achieve this by incorporating a thread 10.
Represented in figure 3 is a modified coupling which is essentially con-s structed like the coupling described previously, and the same reference symbols as in figures 1 and 2 have been used for the same parts. In this coupling, the central section 11 of the coupling sleeve 1 is provided with an external thread 12. As represented in the drawings, the coupling sleeve can be inserted in a wall 14 provided with a suitable bore 13, and can be o screwed down by means of nuts 15. Provision may also optionally be made for the central section 11 to be provided with a collar, of which no further details are represented here, and in addition, for only one nut to be needed for the purpose of fastening in the wall.
lS Represented in figures 4 and 5 is a further modified coupling which is like-wise essentially constructed like the coupling described previously and, here too, the same reference symbols as in figures 1 and 2 have been used for the same parts. The difference in this case consists in the fact that the ~ coupling sleeve 1' is assembled from two parts 16, 17. In this instance, the part 16 of the coupling sleeve is provided with a bore 18 into which a pin-shaped projection 19 on the part 17 of the coupling sleeve can be inserted.
Under these circumstances, the projection 19 is constructed to be only of such a length that, after the assembling of the two parts, a groove 20 is constructed inside the coupling sleeve. The two parts 16, 17 are preferably 2~ held together as a result of a press fit of the projection in the bore. Further-more, the bore and the projection are so shaped that the groove 20 is situ-ated approximately in the center of the coupling sleeve 1'. An elastic sealing ring 21 is also inserted in the groove 20. For the purpose of coupling two optical waveguides, the said sealing ring was introduced into the coupling sleeve in such a way that their ends are located in front of one another in the region of the sealing ring. Under these circumstances, the sealing ring then protects the end faces of the fibers against moisture and mechanical con-9730CA-0. DOC
.. . ,, . . .. ~ . _ . ... .. . .
CA 022~3038 1998-11-0~
taminants. A coupling constructed in such a way can thus be used even un-der harsh environmental conditions.
As described above, the groove is formed by suitable construction of the two parts of the bipartite coupling sleeve 1'. However, provision may also be made for such a groove, in which a sealing ring 21 is then inserted, to be molded in, even in the case of a one-piece coupling sleeve 1.
The underlying object of the invention is to construct a coupling for optical waveguides of the initially mentioned type to the effect that the connection of 9730CA-0.DOC
CA 022~3038 1998-ll-0~
the optical waveguides can be produced without special tools and that the coupling as a whole can be manufactured at a reasonable price.
This object is achieved through the fact that the coupling has a coupling sleeve in which the ends of the optical waveguides can be inserted, the said coupling sleeve being provided with a through-bore matched to the optical waveguides, that the ends of the coupling sleeve are provided with a thread and have a cone at the end, that the ends provided with the threads are provided with axial slots, and that a cap nut with an internal cone can be screwed onto the ends, during the screwing-on of which cap nut the slotted ends are compressed radially.
Advantageous refinements of the invention are indicated in claims 2 to 5.
The advantages achieved by means of the invention consist, in particular, in the fact that no special tools are needed for producing the connection of two optical waveguides, and the outlay is therefore extremely small. In addition, the costs of an optical waveguide connection are diminished, compared with known connections, because of the reduction in the components required.
Under these circumstances, the mounting volume is reduced at the same time and assembly is possible even in the case of relatively short cable lengths.
An exemplified embodiment of the invention is represented in the drawings and will be explained in greater detail below.
Figure 1 shows a view of a coupling with optical waveguides introduced, figure 2 shows a perspective view of the coupling according to figure 1, figure 3 shows a view of a modified coupling, 9730CA-0.DOC
, . . ~ . .
CA 022~3038 1998-11-0~
figure 4 shows a view of another modified coupling, and figure 5 shows an exploded view of the coupling sleeve of the coupling according to figure 4.
The coupling represented in figures 1 and 2 essentially consists of a cou-pling sleeve 1 which is provided with a through-bore 2, the diameter of the said bore being matched to the external diameter of the optical waveguides 3 to be introduced. The ends 4 of the coupling sleeve are provided, in each case, with a thread 5 onto which a cap nut 6 can be screwed. In order to facilitate handling of the parts, the central region of the coupling sleeve is of thickened construction and is provided with knurling, and the cap nuts are also equipped with external knurling. The ends 4 of the coupling sleeve are also provided with axial slots 7 which extend approximately as far as the end of the thread region. As a result of this, the ends 4 can be elastically com-pressed in the radial direction.
The ends are also provided with an external cone 8, on which an internal cone 9 in the cap nuts acts when the latter are screwed on, and compresses the ends radially in the process.
As is represented in figure 1, the ends of two optical waveguides 3 are in- , serted in the through-bore 2 of the coupling sleeve in an oppositely directed manner. In the process, the optical waveguides are, in each case, inserted approximately as far as the center of the coupling sleeve and lie closely against one another, so that transmission of optical signals from one optical waveguide to the other is guaranteed. In order to fix the optical waveguides in the coupling sleeve, the cap nuts are screwed on tightly, the ends 4 being compressed and forced against the external sheathing of the optical waveguides. In order to improve the clamping of the optical waveguides, provision may optionally be made for the through-bore to have a roughened 9730CA-0.DOC
CA 022~3038 1998-11-0~
surface in the region of the slotted ends 4, it being possible to achieve this by incorporating a thread 10.
Represented in figure 3 is a modified coupling which is essentially con-s structed like the coupling described previously, and the same reference symbols as in figures 1 and 2 have been used for the same parts. In this coupling, the central section 11 of the coupling sleeve 1 is provided with an external thread 12. As represented in the drawings, the coupling sleeve can be inserted in a wall 14 provided with a suitable bore 13, and can be o screwed down by means of nuts 15. Provision may also optionally be made for the central section 11 to be provided with a collar, of which no further details are represented here, and in addition, for only one nut to be needed for the purpose of fastening in the wall.
lS Represented in figures 4 and 5 is a further modified coupling which is like-wise essentially constructed like the coupling described previously and, here too, the same reference symbols as in figures 1 and 2 have been used for the same parts. The difference in this case consists in the fact that the ~ coupling sleeve 1' is assembled from two parts 16, 17. In this instance, the part 16 of the coupling sleeve is provided with a bore 18 into which a pin-shaped projection 19 on the part 17 of the coupling sleeve can be inserted.
Under these circumstances, the projection 19 is constructed to be only of such a length that, after the assembling of the two parts, a groove 20 is constructed inside the coupling sleeve. The two parts 16, 17 are preferably 2~ held together as a result of a press fit of the projection in the bore. Further-more, the bore and the projection are so shaped that the groove 20 is situ-ated approximately in the center of the coupling sleeve 1'. An elastic sealing ring 21 is also inserted in the groove 20. For the purpose of coupling two optical waveguides, the said sealing ring was introduced into the coupling sleeve in such a way that their ends are located in front of one another in the region of the sealing ring. Under these circumstances, the sealing ring then protects the end faces of the fibers against moisture and mechanical con-9730CA-0. DOC
.. . ,, . . .. ~ . _ . ... .. . .
CA 022~3038 1998-11-0~
taminants. A coupling constructed in such a way can thus be used even un-der harsh environmental conditions.
As described above, the groove is formed by suitable construction of the two parts of the bipartite coupling sleeve 1'. However, provision may also be made for such a groove, in which a sealing ring 21 is then inserted, to be molded in, even in the case of a one-piece coupling sleeve 1.
Claims (5)
1. Coupling for optical waveguide cables, in particular for plastic optical waveguides, characterised in that the coupling has a coupling sleeve (1, 1') in which the ends of the optical waveguides (3) can be inserted, the said coupling sleeve being provided with a through-bore (2) matched to the optical waveguides, that the ends (4) of the coupling sleeve are provided with a thread (5) and have a cone (8) at the end, that the ends (4) provided with the threads are provided with axial slots (7), and that a cap nut (6) with an internal cone (9) can be screwed onto the ends, during the screwing-on of which cap nut the slotted ends (4) are, compressed radially.
2. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the through-bore (2) of the coupling sleeve (1, 1') is provided with a roughened surface in the region of the slotted ends (4).
3. Coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central region (11) of the coupling sleeve (1, 1') is provided with an external thread (12).
4. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an approximately central groove (20) is provided in the through-bore (2) of the coupling sleeve (1, 1'), and that an elastic sealing ring (21) is inserted in the groove.
5. Coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling sleeve (1') is assembled from two parts (16, 17).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE29721881U DE29721881U1 (en) | 1997-12-11 | 1997-12-11 | Coupling for fiber optic cables |
| DE29721881.6 | 1997-12-11 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2253038A1 true CA2253038A1 (en) | 1999-06-11 |
Family
ID=8049799
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002253038A Abandoned CA2253038A1 (en) | 1997-12-11 | 1998-11-05 | Coupling for optical waveguide cables |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0922974A3 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH11237526A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2253038A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE29721881U1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8876407B2 (en) | 2011-05-25 | 2014-11-04 | Tyco Electronics Corporation | Cable anchoring system |
| JP7309852B2 (en) * | 2018-08-08 | 2023-07-18 | センコー アドバンスド コンポーネンツ インコーポレイテッド | Retaining assembly for securing POF fiber within connector |
| US11099334B2 (en) * | 2018-08-08 | 2021-08-24 | Senko Advanced Components, Inc. | Retention assembly for securing POF fiber within a connector |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA1093873A (en) * | 1978-06-05 | 1981-01-20 | Helmut H. Lukas | Optical fibre connector |
| FR2479483A1 (en) * | 1980-03-25 | 1981-10-02 | Socapex | CONNECTOR COUPLING SLEEVE FOR OPTICAL MONOFIBER, AND CONNECTOR PROVIDED WITH SUCH SLEEVE |
| JPS60250312A (en) * | 1984-05-26 | 1985-12-11 | Nec Corp | Optical fiber connector |
| GB2174506B (en) * | 1985-04-30 | 1988-12-29 | Stc Plc | Optical fibre splicing and repair |
| GB2233471B (en) * | 1989-06-30 | 1993-02-24 | Philips Nv | Optical fibre connectors |
-
1997
- 1997-12-11 DE DE29721881U patent/DE29721881U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1998
- 1998-11-05 CA CA002253038A patent/CA2253038A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-12-01 EP EP98122779A patent/EP0922974A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1998-12-11 JP JP10353266A patent/JPH11237526A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE29721881U1 (en) | 1998-02-12 |
| JPH11237526A (en) | 1999-08-31 |
| EP0922974A3 (en) | 1999-08-11 |
| EP0922974A2 (en) | 1999-06-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |